Thursday, August 30, 2007

"Plan for Terror Screening of Aid Groups Cut Drastically," by Walter Pincus for the Washington Post:

The Bush administration has decided to sharply scale back its plan to screen U.S. foreign aid contractors around the globe for potential terrorism connections, deciding instead to begin with a pilot program involving aid recipients in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip before expanding it worldwide.

The decision, announced Tuesday at a meeting of U.S. officials and representatives of nonprofit groups, was made after lawmakers and several large aid organizations said that the global screening requirements were onerous and unwarranted. An official of the U.S. Agency for International Development had earlier promised to defer the program, which initially was to have taken effect Monday.

The global screening program, initially described in a July 17 Federal Register notice, would have required that all nongovernmental organizations seeking funds from the agency provide detailed information about key personnel, including phone numbers, birth dates and e-mail addresses.

That information was to have been reviewed by intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to ensure that there were no connections with individuals or groups associated with terrorism or threats to national security. It would have affected thousands of individuals in nonprofit groups, charities, religious organizations, colleges, universities and private corporations.

At the presentation Tuesday, USAID officials said they would initially carry out a "pilot vetting program" with recipients of grants and contracts in the West Bank and Gaza, according to materials presented at the meeting and made available to The Post by a contractor organization on the condition that it not be identified.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Muslim friends in Anchorage, it is time for you to make yourself heard loudly and forcefully to denounce Islamo-fascism.

One young Muslim man stood up at the question period during the Engaging Muslims public lecture on Sunday complaining that he felt defensive about being labeled a 'terrorist' just because he was Muslim.

Gee whiz, folks, this can't be too difficult to figure out! If you sit by quietly while your coreligionists perform barbaric acts almost daily, indulge themselves in hateful speech, and cheer the death of non-combatants, women and children -- you're not helping your case. If that is not what you believe, speak up.

Write an editorial to the paper, take out a fullpage ad stating your horror and revulsion of Islamo-fascist action and doctrine. Work with local groups or churches to make a coordinated statement supporting the American way of life, the defense of liberty and the dignity of all people -- of whatever religion.

Maybe you don't like it, but that is just reality. It's too bad that we can't assume you are not sympathetic to Bin Laden, Hezbollah, etc, but the fact is we have no idea unless you tell us where your loyalty lies.

I pray for you and urge you to consider the one true God, who comes into time and space to communicate with His creation. His name is Yahweh, not Allah, and he loves you very much.

From American Congress for Truth there is an announcement of the upcoming event--it is about time!

...Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, and the sponsor is the David Horowitz Freedom Center. It will be held on more than 100 college campuses across the United States during the week of October 22-26, and will be the largest conservative student protest in American history. full article here

They make the following radical proposal (shudder):

In a related measure calling upon “all campus political, cultural, ethnic and religious groups to [oppose] all forms of religious supremacism, violence and intimidation,” the David Horowitz Freedom Center has drafted an Islamo-Fascism Petition affirming four major principles:

· “the right of all people to live in freedom and dignity”

· “the freedom of the individual conscience to change religions or have no religion at all”

· “the equality of dignity of women and men”

· “the right of all people to live free from violence, intimidation, and coercion”

Maybe someone at UAA or APU will join...hello?....anyone home? One can only hope.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Concerning the recent three part series by Christiane Amanpour, Frontpage has a great review by Phylis Chesler.

After watching Amanpour's segment on the Jews, I was disheartened and outraged. How long will people have to suffer Big Lies on our screens and be forced to react defensively, only after the fact? How much Saudi money might really be involved in CNN's series? In addition to bin Talal, we do know that the Saudis have been buying up shares in the Western media, (UPI for example), influencing curriculum on campuses, and in some instances, buying certain journalists outright. (There is a scandal about this still under wraps in Europe right now. Stay tuned for an update).

I suppose we can find out why by following the money. Arabs are buying our assets and buying off our politicians evidently--with our oil money. Guess it's time to invent a new propulsion system for our cars.

I often wonder what is the best approach to this problem of Arab imperialism in the guise of a religion. the following excerpt from an article on HirsiAli's site has good suggestions. Make muslims face the issues that the basic doctrines of Islam promote...Despotism and corruption in Muslim lands, economic paralysis despite trillions of petro dollars, and good grief, do I have to add how utterly depraved are the actions of millions of devoted Muslims? Just because many may be considered moderate, doesn't excuse the action of thousands of perverted attacks by individuals enacting exactly what the Quran tells them to do.

And then, beyond the political and journalistic groups, and beyond those who are to protect and instruct us, there are ever-widening groups of citizens. These must make sure that in every encounter with Muslims, their new knowledge, and new implacable attitude, are not hidden from view, but self-confidently displayed.

What effect will this have on Muslims? It will madden many. So what? Many have already been taught to spread Islam, to subdue Infidels, to remove every obstacle to the imposition of rule by Muslims. And they are prepared to use what instruments at the time prove most effective. Furthermore, they have never been put in a position where they are forced to look at, or to confront, the history of Islamic Jihad conquest and the subjugation of non-Muslims. Make them do so. Force them to do so.

And make them look -- because increasing numbers of Infidels will not for one minute let them forget -- at the way in which the basic doctrines of Islam, and the figure of Muhammad, have worked themselves out in history. If there is despotism and corruption all over the Muslim lands, make sure they understand that it is Islam itself that locates political legitimacy in the will expressed by a whimsical Allah, as revealed in the Qur'an, and glossed -- for most Muslims -- by the Hadith and Sira. Make them look at the fact that there is economic paralysis in the Muslim lands, despite the ten trillion dollars received since 1973 alone by ten Muslim members of OPEC. The few Muslim states that have some economic development have it because, though Muslim, they have for a long time been living with the systematic constraining of Islam as a political and social force, as in Turkey. Or they might enjoy a relatively higher level of economic development because they have within their borders a sufficient number of non-Muslims who are able to provide the essential element for economic development, as in Malaysia, or to provide a kind of modernizing and civilizing effect on the local Muslims, or at least on some of them, as has happened because of the large Christian presence in Lebanon.

This is a concise and powerful statement by Dr. Wafa Sultan about the serious nature of what we face.

Private security was hired for Dr Sultan, who left Australia yesterday, and state police authorities were also made aware of her movements in the country.

The organisers of her visit asked the media to not publish anything about her stay until she had left the country because of security-related concerns. Dr Sultan said Islam was a "political ideology" that was wrongly perceived to have a moderate and hardline following.

"That's why the West has to monitor the majority of Muslims because you don't know when they're ready to be activated. Because they share the same basic belief, that's the problem," said the 50-year-old, who was last year featured in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

The introductory session, a public lecture by Dr. Borelli on Aug. 26 was shocking in its dhimmitude.

He spent 90 minutes dabbling through history and recent Vatican documents extolling the virtues of dialog. Geez, I must have heard 'dialog' a hundred times! I had gone with a notebook to write down items I found needed questions or were particularly interesting...but ended up without more than the first in a series of errors and fallicies, shibblleths and outright blasphemy. All the trite drivel about the crusades and how knowledge flourished under Islam, blah blah.

I was frankly depressed that so many people were nodding their heads and clapping at such foolishness.

When question time came, I walked to the microphone and made my pitch for one item of truth. "Dr. Borelli, the syllabus for this course gives justification for the series in ten points. I see that in number six, Pope Benedict XVI is quoted as saying to Turks in 2006 "the way forward is ...via dialog...in truth.." As a Christian I know the truth is sometimes difficult. But we must face it. The last point in the justification says we worship the same God. Even a cursory study of the Koran and the Bible would deny that...what is your response?

His response was that we indeed have the same God.

Yes, he really did. I am convinced now that Catholic leadership is not a Christian denomination, but in league with the enemy. That is not to say individual Catholics are not Christians, but what a difficult thing to swallow. A learned man, who claims to have great experience with Muslims saying we have the same God? This is a monstrous lie and does nothing to foster truthful interchange. In AA, an alcoholic's first step is admitting the problem. I think it's about time we admitted the problem and stopped pretending.

I pray for Muslims. that they my see the truth of the real God, the one who loves them.

As for Catholics, apparently the Pope and his council think there is some benefit in denying the truth. The truth being we have profound differences in theology, world view, even the use of logic when dealing with Islam.

Friday, August 24, 2007

APU's Newman Chair of Catholic Theology is planning to host a series dedicated to fostering an understanding of and dialog with muslims. While that is an admirable goal, it dismisses some serious differences between Islam and Christianity in the interest of Pluralism. Anyone who is aware of what is happening in the world today will be mystified at the language of Pluralism and the idea that we should all just sit around the campfire and sing kumbaya.

I add my editorial comments at several of these points in the following justification for the series.

Engaging Muslims: Religion, Cultures, PoliticsWhy is it appropriate for the Cardinal Newman Chair of Catholic Theology to usegrant money to teach about Islam?

*The two single largest faith traditions in world are the Catholic Church and Islam, about 1 billion each.

*Benedict XVI has declared (in Cologne, August 20, 2005) that dialogue between Catholics and Muslims "cannot be reduced to an optional extra" and that such dialogue is "a vital necessity on which in large measure our future depends."

*The bishops of the Catholic Church, meeting at the Second Vatican Council in 1965, pleaded "with all to forget the past," and urged "that a sincere effort be made to achieve mutual understanding; for the benefit of all men, let them together preserve and promote peace, liberty, social justice and moral values." (The Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions [Nostra Aetate] 3)

*Speaking to the tiny Catholic community of Ankara, Turkey, in 1979, John Paul II suggested: "My brothers, when I think of this spiritual heritage (Islam) and the value it has for man and for society, its capacity of offering, particularly in the young, guidance for life, filing the gap left by materialism, and giving a reliable foundation to social and juridical organization, I wonder if it is not urgent, precisely today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us, in order to preserve and promote together for the benefit of all men, 'peace, liberty, social justice and moral values' as the Council calls upon us to do (Nostra Aetate 3)."snowman ...What spiritual bonds unite us? Mo has instructed his followers that Christians and Jews are monkeys and pigs, that they should be converted, subjugated or killed. Christianity teaches we should love our enemies and pray for them.

Current events underscore that many devoted Muslims take Mohammed at his word and seek to destroy non-muslim cultures and subjugate or kill all infidels. Not just rantings from bellicose mullahs on Fridays but actions that fill our newspapers daily. On what basis is that a spiritual bond?/snowman

*Benedict XVI reiterated this in his 2006 (November 28) visit to Turkey, on the eve of the 29th anniversary of John Paul II's speech in Turkey: "For my own part, I also wish to highlight the qualities of the Turkish population. Here I make my own the words of my immediate predecessor, Pope John Paul II of blessed memory, who said on the occasion of his visit in 1979: 'I wonder if it is not urgent, precisely today when Christians and Muslims have entered a new period of history, to recognize and develop the spiritual bonds that unite us, in order to preserve and promote together, for the benefit of all men, "peace, liberty, social justice and moral values"' (Address to the Catholic Community in Ankara, 28 November 1979).

*Benedict XVI continued in his 2006 address in Turkey to give the contemporary reason for Christians and Muslims to know one another better: "We are called to work together, so as to help society to open itself to the transcendent, giving Almighty God his rightful place. The best way forward is via authentic dialogue between Christians and Muslims, based on truth and inspired by a sincere wish to know one another better, respecting differences and recognizing what we have in common."snowman...Mohammed did not instruct his followers to engage in dialog, unless it was to deceive or bide time until a position of strength was achieved. And what is it that we have in common? We don't believe in the same God, we don't believe in the same world view regarding science, philosophy or free will, we don't agree on basic human dignity.

After the Danish cartoon rage episode, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14th century document about Mohammed's legacy being one of evil and inhumanity in order to spark a 'dialog' about the need for reason. What he got were death threats for insulting the 'prophet'./snowman

*The two scriptures among all religions that most closely fit our Christian understanding of Scripture are: the Bible and the Qur'an.

snowman...How is it that the quran fits the Christian understanding of scriptures? The quran is the opposite of the Bible...Muslims say it has been corrupted (but still point to verses they claim support islam). How can one possibly make the assertion that there is anything remotely similar? The quran has at least 1000 references to war with and subjugation of infidels, it counsels muslims to convert by force, or murder infidels and apostates. The Bible tells us to turn the other cheek, to walk the extra mile and to pray for our enemies. The Bible was written by God's spirit moving in men...66 books 40 authors following understandable themes. the quran was apparently given to one man by a spirit being that exists in a hash of unorganized statements. The hadith are required to even make sense of it. Yahweh is a God of reason, logic, and consistency.He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Allah is capricious, illogical, unreasonable and inconstant. Again, where is the similarity?/snowman

*It is impossible to understand the development of the Catholic civilization of Europe in all its artistic, intellectual, theological, spiritual and literary aspects without understanding the encounter between Christianity and Islam. The Thomistic synthesis of the high Middle Ages that determined the direction of Catholic intellectual life to the 20th century is incomprehensible apart from the influence of Islam. Franciscan spirituality was forged in the encounter with Muslims. The Islamic elements in Iberian, Middle Eastern, Balkan and East European cultures are essential to understanding those cultures and the Christian traditions within those cultures.

*Speaking to a crowd of 50,000 young Muslims in Morocco (1985), John Paul II pointed out to them: "Christians and Muslims, in general we have badly understood each other, and sometimes, in the past, we have opposed and often exhausted each other in polemics and in wars. . . I believe that today, Godinvites us to change our old practices. We must respect each other, and we must stimulate each other in good works on the path of God."

*This was after John Paul II had already told the young Muslims: "Christians and Muslims have many things in common, as believers and as human beings. We live in the same world, marked by many signs of hope, but also by multiple signs of anguish. For us, Abraham is a model of faith in God, of submission to his will and of confidence in his goodness. We believe in the same God, the one God, the living God, the God who created the world and brings his creatures to their perfection."

snowman...The same God? Please clear up the following:

1.Allah is not mentioned one time in the Bible, even in early Arabic translations of the Bible.2.Our God has a personal name, Yahweh....not Allah.3.The Quran often contradicts the Bible. For example, it denies that Jesus was God incarnate or that he died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins.4.The Christian God never contraticts himself in the Bible, the Quran is full of contradictions.5.Yahweh is knowable, personal, spiritual and full of grace. Allah has none of these attributes.6.Yahweh is constrained by his unchanging nature. Allah exists outside of reason and logic and cannot be trusted for anything.

Jesus Christ preached a gospel of peace and reconciliation and rejected the useof armed force.

Muhammad and Allah have nothing to do with Christianity or the one true God ofthe Bible./snowman